Tron: Legacy’s Garrett Hedlund in Talks for Akira

Looks like this movie is finally moving forward. Earlier this year, we reported that a live-action version of the popular Japanese manga “Akira” was actually going to happen, with Robert Pattinson, Andrew Garfield and James McAvoy being considered for the role of Tetsuo, while the more vital role of Kaneda is being narrowed down to Garrett Hedlund, Michael Fassbender, Chris Pine, Justin Timberlake and Joaquin Phoenix.

Then in October, the film got the official green-light from Warner Bros. with “Tron: Legacy” star Garrett Hedlund still being considered for one of the lead roles.

Well, cut to today, and the “Country Strong” star is now in talks for the role of Kaneda.

WB acquired the tentpole project for a seven-figure sum from Japanese manga publisher Kodansha in 2008. Set in New Manhattan, the cyberpunk sci-fi epic follows the leader of a biker gang who must save his friend, discovered with potentially destructive psychokinetic abilities, from government medical experiments.

Jaume Collet-Serra is on board to helm with Steve Kloves writing the latest version of the script. Appian Way’s Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson Killoran are producing with Mad Chance’s Andrew Lazar.